There has been a period of relative stability and quiet in the battle for control of Arsenal. That is probably just as well for the club as, whatever players say to the contrary, these off pitch battles can have a negative effect.
There has been a period of relative stability and quiet in the battle for control of Arsenal. That is probably just as well for the club as, whatever players say to the contrary, these off pitch battles can have a negative effect.
Now Alisher Usmanov has declared that he is going to increase his stake in the club through his Red and White holdings vehicle to the 29.9 per cent level held by American sports entrepreneur Stan Kroenke. Anyone who goes about that level would have to make a formal takeover bid and Usmanov has not ruled that out.
The question is, where would he get any shares from, given that there have been extensive purchases from smaller shareholders in recent years? Lady Nina Bracewell-Smith owns enough shares to give Usmanov control and they are for sale but she has effectively withdrawn them from the market by raising the price.
Arsenal fans would probably prefer not to have one shareholder in control and certainly not Usmanov.